NAKMAS National Governing Body

From today, in England, businesses and venues can hold gatherings of up to 30 people outdoors providing social distance measures are in place and risk assessments carried out. These must be supervised by a responsible person (e.g., a club instructor).

Recently came the announcement that we have been anticipating: a date for the reopening of studios, gyms, and indoor leisure facilities. In England, these facilities are expected to reopen from the 25^th July under the guidelines set out by the UK government. You can read the new guidelines here. Of course, you will need to get in touch with your local leisure facilities to find out their exact date of opening.

The number of students permitted indoors will depend on the size of the studio or hall, given that 2 metres social distance is recommended to maximise the safety and wellbeing of our members. However, in line with government guidelines, you can reduce the distance to 1-metre plus where space is more limited. Please be careful of this reduction however for younger children who may not understand the importance of social distancing.

In line with the government guidelines for reopening studios and leisure facilities in England, we suggest the following be considered. Please also read the guidance and sample forms published two weeks ago on the NAKMAS website members' area, for chief instructors and secretaries. Information can also be used for gradings.

* Speak with your venue management to find out their requirements, and work with them to ensure the safety of everyone you bring to classes.
* Consider an online or telephone booking service to find out numbers, and potentially take online or advanced payments.
* Reduce class sizes or increase hall space hired. Allow sufficient time between classes to avoid groups waiting outside during changeover.
* Use floor markings to maintain social distance between students. This might be particularly helpful for younger students. (see advice above in italics)
* Enhanced cleaning and providing hand sanitizer throughout venues.
* Limit spectators and ask for only one adult with one/family of children to come to class (if they can be at a distance: balcony above hall, area with windows to hall etc., even better).
* Perhaps consider one door for entrance and another for exit – where this is possible.
* Keep a register of anyone attending the class – especially important for any future track and trace needs.
* Ensure adequate ventilation before, during and after class. Speak to your leisure centre about perhaps opening fire exit doors in large sports halls (some have alarms).
* Any equipment used must be thoroughly disinfected before, during and after sessions. Keep this to a minimum.
* Students must be allowed to bring a sealed water bottle into class as hydration is essential while exercising.
* We would suggest that any young students going to the toilet during a class, are accompanied by a volunteer (to ensure hand washing and not encountering other members of public (within a leisure centre especially). If this volunteer is not an instructor or well-known parent, s/he will need to be DBS checked.
* Members should be encouraged to come to class in their suit, changing at home (covered with a jacket for good etiquette).
* Clean and disinfect the studio space (if it is your own), between classes.
* The studio owner/leisure centre management should take responsibility for actioning a thorough cleaning procedure and risk assessment for the space.
* Instructors should carry out their own risk assessment on the space used. Samples are available on the members' area of the NAKMAS website.
* Instructors should follow the Covid-19 checklist available on the members' area of the NAKMAS website.

IMPORTANT

* While we understand that this update will be celebrated by many, and we will all be keen to get back to teaching quickly, it must be understood, that the 2-metre (or 1-metre plus in reduced space) social distance rule will still apply and for some disciplines this will have its challenges. We must become creative teachers; traditional ways might be questioned for a while at least. If we are to get back to our students, we will need think differently.
* Please be aware this update mainly applies to England, for now, although the advice to consider will apply to every region, when the rules change.
* The more preparation we can all do, the quicker we will return, and the safer we will all be.
* Please ensure insurance/memberships/DBS checks are current and in place.

SCOTLAND

* From today organised outdoor sports and physical activity can resume for young people (under 18) – please see local government rules for full details

NORTHERN IRELAND

* Up to 30 people can gather outdoors, with social distance rules
* Leisure centres are set to reopen on 7 August (provisional date)
* Social distancing is likely to be reduced to 1 metre shortly

WALES

* From today organised outdoor activities including sports and fitness classes will be able to resume (exact numbers not published)
* Larger gatherings of up to 30 people outdoors 'only where these are organised and supervised by a responsible person for sports and other leisure activities and classes' are being added to regulations

NAKMAS continues to support its members. We will get through it together.

'Remember, NAKMAS is with you all the way'

Office hours currently 10am till 1pm

Updated guidance on the phased return of outdoor sport and recreation in England (30 June 2020)

The Government has issued updated guidance on outdoor sport and recreation in England to reflect changes coming in from Saturday 4 July 2020. Includes advice on using sports facilities, personal trainers and coaching, individual sports and travelling for physical activity.

Updated guidance is via the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronav...

NAKMAS guidance for members

NAKMAS has added to the secure chief instructors and secretarues Members' Area, documents to prepare members (in all regions) for restarting sport and recreation. There is a general document outlining other paperwork which might be useful. This includes risk assessment samples, a COVID-19 compliance checklist, notice for classes, booking checklist for students and general reminders.

We will also continue to add other links to the members' area which we consider might be useful to you.

COVID-19

MESSAGE FOR INSTRUCTORS AND WELFARE OFFICERS

Government guidelines dictate that a person with asthma or related conditions should not wear face coverings. Please be aware of this if teaching means social distancing less than two metres.

Like the rest of the nation NAKMAS is disappointed that there have still not been changes to the lockdown in terms of leisure centres and gyms opening. Current guidelines which relate to our sector:

England
* Community centres are now allowed to open, but only for: voluntary services, e.g. food banks, homeless services; nursery daycare services, blood banks, indoor markets. Government ruling does not allow them to be used for normal classes at this time.

* Two metre socially distancing will be reduced to one metre plus, from 4 July. This will mean that at one metre, a mask or face covering must be worn. This will help instructors teaching outside to get a little closer to students.

* Two households of any size can meet inside or outside, from 4 July with social distancing. This means you could potentially teach a family of children and/or parents at a time. You can meet up with different households at different times.

* Groups of 6 people can continue to meet outside; we know that many instructors have been taking advantage of this and running small group classes, one to ones and even small gradings.

* Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said that the Government are hoping to reopen gyms and leisure centres mid-July. We are not sure how likely this is to happen.

Scotland
* The two metre social distance rule still applies

* Two households can meet up outside, with up to 8 people. Therefore, you could potentially teach a family of children/adults, providing you are socially distanced.

* Outdoor sports facilities can open.

* Non-contact sport is allowed outside. We need to be creative but safe.

Wales
* Two households can meet up outside. Therefore, you could potentially teach a family of children/adults, providing you are socially distanced.

Northern Ireland
* Groups of 6 people can continue to meet outside; we know that many instructors have been taking advantage of this and running small group classes, one to ones and even small gradings.

GENERAL GUIDANCE AT THIS STAGE IN PREPARATION FOR RESUMING

* If you own a gym or studio we suggest you start to get this Covid ready, i.e., deep cleaning, paper towels in the bathroom rather than hand-dryer or towels, liquid soaps, contactless card facilities if possible, spraying down equipment etc.

* Update your risk assessment for your classes. You should have one already (samples provided by NAKMAS in the past), but it will need to be updated to include covid assessment, i.e., handwashing/sanitization, cleaning etc. We will be providing samples of risk assessments shortly.

* Gather supplies of disinfectant spray for equipment, sanitizer, and perhaps gloves for handling money.

Advice given by NAKMAS on 22 May which continues to be valid.

* While you are not teaching, it is advised to keep in touch with your students, via newsletter perhaps, social media, messages on your website, phone calls… any way you can. Let them know you have not forgotten them and that you are missing classes and preparing for their return.

* Think about teaching so it can be non-contact (for now); of course, this is not so easy for Judo and Ju Jitsu practitioners especially, but there are aspects of techniques which can still be taught. In fact, it is an opportunity to be creative with our teaching methods, and perhaps open our art to students who are not so flexible or able to be thrown about or practice in the same way as traditional students.

* We recommend no sparring or close partner work until the restrictions end completely. Of course, there are other techniques which can be taught to prepare for these practices.

* Possibly think about splitting large classes, or could they be moved to a larger space, hire more than one badminton court, move outside for some classes?

* Students should be standing 1 metre apart minimum. You will need to be stricter about young students who tend to stand closely. Hopefully by the time classes restart, parents will have practiced social distancing with them, and they will be used to it.

* You will need to have fewer spectators at classes, restricting junior students/families of students to one adult with them. No more family outings to watch classes.

* Perhaps an online payment scheme can be set up for monthly fees, rather than weekly pay as you go. Many members already use this facility.

* If you usually accept cash at classes, perhaps investigate a mobile credit/debit card facility using your smart phone.

* If you have your own studio, consider Perspex shields at reception desks in the same way supermarkets and stores have.

* You may choose to ask parents/students/yourself to wear masks while taking payments.

* Hand sanitizer should be available at classes, for all students/instructors to use on entering the hall, and on leaving.

* It goes without saying right now that handshakes, hugs, high fives, physically altering students should be avoided. The use of cues and the voice has never been so important. If you have students who are hard of hearing, visual cues and good demonstrations are also important.

* If you have access to outside space, try to utilize it as far as possible. Remember to do a risk assessment and ensure it is safe to practice in the area.

* You might want to consider students needing to take their temperature before coming to classes, especially in smaller spaces.

* Of course, if any student has had symptoms recently, or anyone in his or her family, they must stay away from classes. The same applies to instructors, volunteers, or spectators.

* Creativity will be key, both to adapt to new teaching methods, and ways to motivate and keep our current students.

NAKMAS is a full member of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, who act on our behalf as a liaison with Government. This is a statement by the CEO today.

Sport and Recreation Alliance CEO, Lisa Wainwright responds to the latest government announcement which confirms that indoor leisure and sport facilities will remain closed.

"The announcement from government today that excludes the leisure and physical activity sector in England from re-opening the majority of its indoor facilities is deeply disappointing.

"During his statement, the Prime Minister gave no clear timetable as to when these facilities would be able to re-open. Subsequently, the Culture Secretary has publicly indicated an aspiration to re-open facilities from mid-July.

"We recognise this is a difficult situation, however the sector requires clear, consistent communication from government setting out the precise steps which need to be taken – and when – in order to reopen.

"We must be able to work alongside public health experts to resolve any outstanding problems. We are confident that we are in a position to open and if we are unable to, we must understand why and be given the opportunity to offer solutions.

"It is concerning that no further financial support has been offered to help those affected by the continued closure of these facilities and with many organisations already in financial distress, the lack of additional support will have a dramatic impact on the future of the sector.

"We recognise there is a fine balance to be struck and that any lockdown easing decisions need to be taken carefully, but utilising indoor space for physical activity is the only way that many people engage in sport and recreation, including a large number of people who are considered most vulnerable.

"We find ourselves in the middle of a public health crisis to which sport and recreation must be the answer. Yet we are in danger of losing the very ability to support the health and wellbeing of the nation at this crucial time.

"We want to be clear. We are ready to return."

GUIDELINE CHANGES FROM 1 JUNE 2020

(Although there are additional changes from 1 June, the social distancing and hygiene precautions and ideas for change published recently by NAKMAS, will still apply).

These guidelines apply to outside sports (or sports which might be offered outdoors for now). Please read carefully.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-phased-return-of-outdoor-sport-and-recreation

We would especially like to draw your attention to the following wording:

Personal trainers and coaching

Personal training or coaching is permitted if outside and if people are a minimum of 2 metres apart and providing there are gatherings of no more than 6 people from different households.

Under the new social distancing guidelines, which allow up to, but no more than 6 people to gather, parents can take their children to a 1-1 coaching or training session, as long as the gathering does not exceed 6 people. Any sports coaches or trainers undertaking 1-1 sessions should ensure they are complying with relevant National Governing Body Safeguarding Policies and Procedures and conduct a thorough risk assessment before engaging in any sessions. This should include particular consideration for under 18s and vulnerable adults.

As this suggests, you will still need to comply with Safeguarding/Health and Safety procedures and take a full and thorough risk assessment of the environment you are considering teaching in, and procedures you will put into place. In particular you must have space so that there is 2 metres between each person.

For example: have sanitizer available for the start and end of the session, no contact should take place, social distancing must be adhered to, any equipment used should be sanitized thoroughly at the start and end of the session. Equipment must not be shared during a session. If anyone has symptoms personally or within their family, they must not be invited to take part in a session.

Other guidelines will be found on the previously published NAKMAS document.

Competitive sport behind closed doors

This new rule does not apply to coaching, nor to martial arts.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE CORRECT AND UP TO DATE INSURANCES ARE IN PLACE: THIS APPLIES TO CIVIL LIABILITY, INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT INSURANCES. PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU DO ANY COACHING, EITHER ONLINE OR FACE TO FACE, AND UPDATE THEM IMMEDIATELY.

NAKMAS is mindful of the growing concern among chief instructors within NAKMAS with regards to the Coronavirus.

We, as martial artists, know the importance and benefits of regular training within martial arts, e.g. physically and mentally, and NAKMAS is encouraging and supporting NAKMAS accredited affiliates in continuing to run their classes during this difficult period if possible. NAKMAS is not, at this stage, advocating the closure or suspending martial arts classes during this epidemic. However, NAKMAS will continue to monitor the situation and we will advise our affiliates accordingly. In this respect, members and affiliates are encouraged to visit this page frequently for regular updates and of course take note of any Government guidelines as a priority. Insurance cover and legal protection remains the same during this period.

The difficulty for martial arts and sporting classes arises if leisure/community centres or facility providers decide to close their centres or halls during this crisis. In this respect, this is very little you can do other than to seek another hall as a temporary measure if you still want to continue.

NAKMAS advises that grappling and throwing should stop and concentrate on other aspects of the syllabus. This could provide an excellent opportunity to deliver theory, e.g. history and technical discussions.

Of course, use your common sense: no shaking hands, high fives, hands on partner work. Students and instructors to wash/sanitize their hands before and after class, after money handling etc.

NAKMAS has been made aware that one chief instructor has been infected with the coronavirus. He is now isolated and one of his instructors is continuing to run all his classes in his absence. This is commendable and our support for him and his family is sincerely offered.

NAKMAS is also aware that several affiliates that have suspended their classes and are creating Facebook Groups in order to continue teaching and offering online tuition. Whilst this can assist, NAKMAS is strongly advising that such Facebook Groups is set as a 'private groups' and only allow club members access it to. Public Groups are far too risky and members privacy and security should be at the forefront of all minds of all chief instructors.

This link provides government updates:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Sky News seem to offer a well-balanced discussion and updates with regards to the current crisis. You can view Sky News online for free, via the following link:

https://news.sky.com/topic/live-7029

Top right of the page is a red tab marked; 'Watch Live'. This provides an excellent platform for viewing.

Sadly, social media are delivering a huge amount of 'fake news' and NAKMAS strongly suggesting viewing government and NHS websites rather than social media. Indeed, the public have witnessed some respected television broadcasters panicking the public unnecessary.

Please be aware that the Prime Minister is advised every day by the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Officer. Both have large competent teams around them; they are not simply devising policy over coffee in 'Starbucks'. They are well respected individuals that want to help the public and save lives. Let's allow them to do their job.

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Recently the Government published an action plan to contain the possible spread of the coronavirus.

Your preparations

Many of you are proceeding rapidly with your contingency planning. Some are just beginning that process in earnest.

Either way, the following 'A B C' may help shape your approach. There should be no presumption that one stage will automatically lead to the next, but it is best practice to think about the different scenarios that may emerge.

A: As you are. Our current state.

• There is no need to cancel or postpone your events or classes at this time;
• Reassure your athletes, stakeholders, and members, building on the latest Public Health England advice;
• Remain mindful of guidance on infection control in the workplace - catch it, kill it, bin it;
• Take sensible steps to discourage club/group staff with flu-like symptoms from coming to work or to a class;
• Notify the DCMS sport team if you are contemplating postponing or cancelling events - sportsCOVID19@culture.gov.uk

B: Behind closed doors If the Government finds it necessary to curb travel or large gatherings of people, this is particularly a possible scenario for spectator sports.

• Consider broadcast options and contractual arrangements, if relevant;
• Be mindful of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice which may make it more difficult to bring athletes and their teams into the country;
• Examine your supply chain arrangements, particularly for equipment, and explore contingency plans;
• Determine the minimum number of staff required to safely stage an event and how you would ensure their wellbeing and manage logistics;
• Make an assessment of the economic impact of lost revenue and share this analysis with the DCMS Sport team - sportsCOVID19@culture.gov.uk

C: Cancellation, curtailment, or postponement if the Government finds it necessary to impose restrictions which make staging an event or providing a service impossible.

• Consider how you would resolve your remaining fixtures and conclude your competition, workforce health permitting;
• Consider how you would deal with cancelled classes, membership, season tickets etc. Make an assessment of the economic impact of lost revenue and share this analysis with the DCMS Sport team.
• Please also take every step to help keep our nation active. Being fit and healthy can reduce the risk of infection in the first place. Think creatively about how we can maintain activity levels in such a scenario.

Latest government guidance

The following tailored advice for our sector has been developed. This advises:

• There is presently no rationale to close or cancel sporting events or classes, but this may change as the situation evolves, so please keep a close eye on Gov.uk.
• Anyone with flu-symptoms should avoid the risk of spreading their infection, whatever that infection may be, by staying at home and recovering;
• For those hosting sporting events, whatever the size, attendees and participants should stay up to date on the government's latest advice on how to avoid catching or spreading the virus, which is here;
• As the situation progresses advice may follow for the frail, elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions (to be defined) to stay away from gatherings as part of general advice aimed at minimising unnecessary contact with others;
• For those travelling to sporting events overseas, the Foreign Office's travel advice should be followed here and travellers should note that apart from the countries and territories named in that advice, the government is not presently advising against travel to anywhere else;
• For those who offer community and leisure services, such as running a local martial arts group or running a gym; hand hygiene should be strongly promoted and encouraged and equipment and facilities should be thoroughly cleaned and wiped down as usual following use. The government is planning to publish specific advice on this shortly;
• There is presently no reason people should stop doing their daily sport and physical activities as they normally would;

The NAKMAS National Governing Body would like to reiterate the importance of following advice from Public Health England and Gov.uk when you have queries relating to the impact of coronavirus. Hopefully the guidance above will have answered many of your questions.

As we all know, martial arts, sport and activity play a vital role in maintaining health and wellbeing, and NAKMAS will provide further updates when appropriate.

The NAKMAS insurance schemes are fully operative, providing you follow the advice outlined above.

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